Return of Items 06/19/24 - Jacob Peck Long Beach - Vintage Jacket

While driving to Long Beach on Sunday, June 16, 2024, to meet with Jacob’s mother and sister—as we had been invited—I found myself reminiscing about our last Christmas together. Every year, we’d all buy gifts for Corduroy and Reagan and hide the wrapped presents in Amazon delivery envelopes out in the yard. As we'd make dinner we would periodically play the Ring doorbell sound and crack up watching them lose their minds hunting for and retrieving their special Christmas “Amazon delivery.”

Jacob had asked me for a puffy, acid-washed vintage jacket for Christmas, and we laughed about it because I remembered owning one in the '90s and knew exactly what he meant. I spent nearly two months searching for the perfect one. When it finally arrived, I took it to the dry cleaners, and for the week leading up to Christmas, it hung on the outside of my living room door as I decorated the house and tree.

When I told his sister this story and asked if I could have that jacket back as a memento of our last Christmas, along with my belongings from his condo, she kindly agreed in writing (via text), just as she had also done agreeing to return Corduroy.  She has neglected her responsibilities under these contracts.

I can't fathom how someone could be in such denial that they would wear their deceased brother’s jacket with a clear conscience—fully aware of its significance to one of his loved ones, while knowing they’ve broken yet another promise to that person.